Machinery Pete

Learn how to better manage your machinery investments from Greg Peterson, a.k.a. "Machinery Pete." He's been researching and analyzing the machinery market for more than 26 years. Let Machinery Pete help you find and value your next piece of farm equipment at MachineryPete.com.

New York Man Collects Low Hour Deere Tractors

Jul 04, 2013

It's a trip I knew I had to make.

From my home in southeast Minnesota out to western New York to visit a guy I'd been bumping into at machinery auctions all over for years. Kevin Sykes from Oriskany Falls, NY. Kevin and his brother Keith have amassed an impressive collection of super low hour, unique and rare John Deere tractors from the 1970's up into the 1990's. I'm talking LOW hours folks.

I finally made my trek to Kevin's farm after shooting a farm auction June 24, 2013 in northeast New York for our new Machinery Pete's "Auction of the Week" show coming to RFD-TV this November. Here are a few pics from Kevin's machine shed of dreams for green lovers:

Late 1982 JD 4440, PS, with 1,400 hours

Front view of 1982 JD 4440 with 1,400 hours

Kevin bought this 1982 4440 from an elderly farm couple in southeast Minnesota years ago

Closer look at the 1982 JD 4440 with 1,400 hours

"Originalness" is huge factor as Kevin scours North America looking for Deere tractors

1992 JD 4055 2WD, PS, with 238 hours...asking $100K

Kevin bought this 1992 JD 4055 2WD tractor from a farmer in Tennessee years ago

Low hour green brothers standing next to each other

Wow

Pair of rare JD 4240 factory open station, PS tractors

Pair of rare JD 4430 factory open station, PS tractors

Late 1972 JD 4320 PS tractor Kevin built to specs of very rare experimental JD 4320 PS Deere made

Yes, Kevin & brother Keith do own a few "newer" John Deere tractors too

I wrote and blogged this past winter about another very famous tractor Kevin owned...a 1991 JD 4455 MFWD with only 33 hours on it. Yep, 33 hours. Kevin sold the 4455 this winter. How much did he get for it? $155,000. Quite a story behind that 4455 and it's sale. Here's a Youtube video I posted this winter with the scoop:

This is why I've loved covering auctions for the past 23 1/2 years folks...you never know what you'll see or what you'll learn....or what unique tractors and/or people you just might run across. Hope you all have a safe & happy 4th of July!